Kickoff

What is a kickoff?

A kickoff happens at the centre of the pitch, with the ball placed on the centre spot. One player from the team taking the kickoff kicks the ball to start play. The team that kicks off is decided by a coin toss before the match or gets the restart after conceding a goal.

Though it’s a simple action, the kickoff begins the next phase of the game, whether it’s the first touch in a local match or the restart after a key goal in a major final.

How a kickoff works

The kickoff must follow certain rules to make sure the start or restart of play is fair and organised. Here’s how it works:

1. Ball placement

The ball is placed on the centre spot, right in the middle of the pitch. It must remain stationary before it is kicked.

2. Player positioning

The team taking the kickoff must have all their players in their own half. The opposing team must stay at least 9.15 meters (10 yards) away from the ball until it is kicked. This is indicated by the centre circle, providing space to the team starting play.

3. Referee’s signal

The kickoff can only happen after the referee blows the whistle, signaling that the game is about to start or restart.

4. Ball must move forward

To count as a proper kickoff:

– The ball must be kicked and clearly move in any direction.
– A gentle tap that doesn’t make the ball clearly move doesn’t count.
– Once the ball moves, it is officially in play. The same player cannot touch the ball again until someone else has touched it.

Types of kickoffs

The basic rules for a kickoff stay the same, but the reason for the kickoff can change depending on when it happens in the match. Here are the main types:

1. Start of the match: This is the first kickoff that begins the game. The football club that wins the coin toss chooses either to take the kickoff or to pick which goal to attack. If they choose the goal, the other team kicks off.

2. Start of the second half: After the half-time break, the teams switch ends. The team that did not kick off at the start of the match will take the kickoff for the second half. This ensures both teams get a turn to start a half with the ball.

3. After a goal is scored: When a team concedes a goal, they restart the game with a kickoff. This gives the team that was scored against a chance to quickly restart play.

Tactical considerations at kickoff

Although the kickoff may seem simple, teams often use it to set the tone for how they want to play. Here are some of the key tactical points managers and players consider:

1. Starting formation and player positions

Most teams line up in their usual formation for the kickoff, but small changes in player positioning can make a difference. Attackers might be ready to push forward quickly. Defenders will prepare to protect space in case the ball is lost early. These small adjustments can help shape the first moments of the game.

2. Direct attacks from kickoff (rare)

Sometimes, teams try a surprise long pass straight from the kickoff to catch the opposition off guard. This is allowed as long as the ball is kicked and clearly moves. However, it is rare and usually does not result in a goal, as the defending team is 10 yards back and ready

3. Keeping possession early on

Most teams prefer to keep the ball after kickoff. They might make a short pass to a nearby teammate and build up play slowly. Holding onto possession and completing the first few passes can help settle nerves and give the team early control.

4. Psychological impact

The kickoff can have a mental effect on both teams. A smooth and confident start can show the team is focused and ready. This is especially important in big matches or local rivalries, where the energy at kickoff is high.

A brief history of the kickoff rule

The rules around the kickoff have changed over time to improve fairness and keep the game flowing smoothly. Here’s how the rule has evolved:

1. Early versions of the rule

Before 1863, football rules varied widely. After a goal, the team that conceded would often restart play from their own half, sometimes with the ball thrown up in the middle. There were no standardised rules about how far back the opposing team had to stand, making restarts less structured and often unfair..

2. Introduction of the centre circle and 10-yard rule

Since 1863, the Football Association (FA) laws included: 

– A rule requiring the opposing team to stay 10 yards (9.15 meters) away from the ball until the kickoff was taken.
– The centre circle, with a 10-yard radius, was added in 1891 to visually clarify this distance. These changes gave the team restarting the game a better chance to keep possession.

3. Refinements to improve consistency

Over the years, the basic idea of kicking the ball from the centre spot has remained, but rules have been refined: Historically, the ball had to be kicked forward, but since 2016, it can be kicked in any direction, as long as it clearly moves. Rules have clarified where players should stand to ensure consistency. These changes maintain fairness and ensure uniform application, from local youth matches to top-level professional games.

Kickoff infringements and restarts

Although the kickoff is a simple part of the game, certain mistakes can lead to a retake or a free kick for the other team. Here are the most common issues:

1. Kicking the ball backwards: The ball must be kicked forward to start play properly. If the kicker sends the ball backwards, the referee usually orders a retake.
2. Encroachment (standing too close): Players on the opposing team must stay outside the centre circle (10 yards away) until the ball is in play. If a player enters the circle too early and touches the ball, the kickoff is usually retaken. If they step in early but don’t interfere, the referee may let play continue, unless it disadvantages the team taking the kickoff.
3. Kicker touches the ball twice:  The player who takes the kickoff cannot touch the ball again until someone else touches it. If they do, the other team gets an indirect free kick from where the second touch happened.
4. Ball doesn’t clearly move: If the ball is tapped lightly and doesn’t clearly move, the referee may ask for the kickoff to be taken again to ensure a proper restart.

Analysing kickoffs with Sportmonks

Kickoffs mark the start or restart of play in football matches, occurring at the beginning of each half and after a goal is scored. While seemingly straightforward, kickoffs can offer insights into team strategies and match dynamics. Sportmonks provides detailed data to help you analyse these moments effectively.

Accessing kickoff data via Sportmonks

Sportmonks’ football API offers comprehensive data that can be used to analyse kickoffs:

– Fixture details: Access information about each match, including start times and events.
– Event timelines: Review the sequence of events, including goals and substitutions, to understand the context around kickoffs.
– Team lineups and formations: Examine how teams set up at the start of each half, which can influence kickoff strategies.

While there isn’t a specific “kickoff” event in the data, by analysing the start times and subsequent events, you can infer patterns and strategies related to kickoffs.

Integrating kickoff analysis into applications

Developers can use Sportmonks’ API to:

– Visualise match start dynamics: Display how teams approach the beginning of each half.
– Analyse post-goal responses: Understand how teams react immediately after conceding or scoring.
– Compare team strategies: Evaluate differences in kickoff approaches across teams or competitions.

Start strong with data that covers every kickoff

From the opening whistle to post-goal restarts, understanding how teams approach kickoffs can reveal more than you think. With Sportmonks, you get detailed match data, lineups, timelines, and tactical setups that help you analyse the flow from the very first kick.

Try Sportmonks free and explore the game from kickoff to full-time.